Kano residents rush to get PVCs, lament tough procedure

Kano residents are in last-minute rush to get their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 general election amidst frustration.

The Star observed that many Kano residents are trooping to various registration centres to register as the July 31^st deadline approaches.

It was noticed across registration centres in the state that residents are facing various challenges in their efforts to get their PVCs that would allow them exercise their civic rights.

At the INEC state office in Kano, residents are grumbling over their inability to register for their PVCs as the process becomes more time consuming and competitive by the day.

“People travel from far hoping that it will be easier but to no avail,” Ado Musa, who was at the centre to register, said.

A resident, Shamsu Bichi, said, “They are always saying that people are much and they have closed. One has to come as early as 6a.m. to write his name if at all he will even get it.

“For me, I will not even vote again. I can’t withstand this hectic process.”

Muhammad Sani lamented over the limited timeframe given as few days are left for the closure.

Suleiman Abdulqadir came all the way from Badawa to the state headquarters. Abdulqadir said he was hoping to see a contrary setting there at Nassarawa Local Government Area.

“Honestly, if things continue like this, we are many, and we may not get to vote.

“I went to Sani Abacha indoor stadium, I couldn’t do it. They said I should come here and our leaders are always calling on us to come and register.

“Honestly, I am losing hope in this process. This is the problem everywhere,” said Hauwa Ali.

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Philips Johnson is a resident of Sabon Gari area who is determined to vote in Kano, but still struggling to register for his PVC.

Johnson said he is not ready to travel during election period and he seriously need to vote.

“This is a matter of life and death. A matter of my future. I must vote this year. Everything here is so annoying. That the number of people to be registered for today is already filled and we should go back and come the following day which is stressful,” he said.

The Star observed that residents of Kano, most especially women, both old and young are still hopeful and optimistic about their participation in the 2023 general election as they show no sign of giving up in the struggle to register for their PVCs.

It was learnt that the most populous registration centre in Kano, the Sani Abacha indoor stadium, which is widely announced via media outlets is no more operating for the past three weeks.

The centre, which had 30 registration points comprising 20 for freshers and 10 for those who have corrections no longer operate.

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In a visit to the centre, people were seen busy trooping in anticipation to register, but found the place vacant with nobody to attend to them.

An insider in INEC Office told The Star that some influential politicians are influencing registration centres to move to areas of their strongholds.

He said: “In some places, they try to take over and disallow everybody except their party members which is becoming a serious problem.”

The Star